Joint construction



w. A. FLUMERFELT 2,325,845

JOINT CONSTRUCTION Original Filed June 5, 1940 W 5 INVENTOR 6%, W EM Patented Aug. 3, 1943 Columbus,-Ohiafaeornoration of Ohio j Original asp re-teen June 5, "i'e iofseri lfno. 7

338,977, new Patent No. 2,280,634, dated'April' 21,1942. Divided and thisapplication March 9," 19412, Serial No. 434:.017 f g Y This inventionrelatesto joint constructions and 7 more especially to those of a character known as-ball joints particularly adaptable for use in tie rod and drag link assembliesfor automotive vet hicl'es and is 'a division of my copending applica- While have illustratedithe joint construe}, V ticn as'especiallyj adapted for atie rod connec 7 tion; it is to 'b'e'understood'that my invention may be used in any arrangernent where it maybe tion entitled Joint construction bearing Serial No; 338,9?"7, filed June 5, 1940, now Patent No.

2,280,634,dated'April 21,1942.

The invention has for an object the provision oi a joint construction having a ball-like joint element of multi-sectionaL construction sur-- rounded by bearing means; the component elements of the joint assembly being cushioned in a yieldable material. i

The invention contemplates 'a ball type joint construction in which the spherical configura- 1 tion isformed of a plurality of'memberis and sur rounded by'a bearing-means which engages the spherical configuration under pressure of a com pressed rubberor synthetic'ruboer cushion.

Another object of the invention is the provision oi ajoint structure wherein metallic spring means have been eliminated and the elements of the joint assembly at all times are held together under pressure of a compressed'yieldahle material thus providing means for automatically compensating for any wear of the several bearing surfaces. I j

Another object of the invention resides 'in the provision of a joint structure which isfof sealed constructio-n'with the lubricant initially injected into the joint at thei'ti'me'of assembly so that further lubrication of the structure during" use becomes unnecessary. v I

Furtherobjectsand advantages are Within the scope of this invention such as relateto thearrangement, operation andiunction of thejrelated elements of thefstructure t'o various details of construction'and to combination: of p'arts, e1e

round to be applicable.

Referring to the drawing in detail; 1 have;

shown a form: ofjoint'construction especially arranged for making a tiefrojd connection to a {'dirigible I01, steerable vvheelof a vehicle inwhich numeral I'll designatesatie rod of tubular formation which isfinterio rly. threadedasatl i to rev ceiv'e a threaded tenon 13" formed [as an integral part of a joint housing 14"," The wall of the tube adjacent "teno-n l3" is split longitudinally as at I5 and surrounding'jthe'tube is a clamp or collar 16'1 arranged to be 'drawninto clamping engage and nut (not shown) ,thisfrneans serving to lock 1 the tie rod tube and joint housing in fixed rela- ..tion. The housing M is of hollow configuration which terminatesrat its-upperj extremity in an inwardly extending shoulder o'nflange 2D, the Vinte'rior'walls off the housin W taperin or con verging slightly at the upper portion of the hou s:

The stud member 22 extending into the housing l l is providedat its lower extremity with'an, I 1

enlarged semi-sphericalportion 38" Land with a second semi-spherical portion Eiifof lesser dimensionythe curvature of both the spherical portions 36' and 68 beinggenerated about the same center. 7 Thestud member 22. is provided with an upj adapted to. receive an'arm 24' which forms. a means for sup- Wardly extending taperedportion 23 porting a' dirigible vehicle when ot sl1owri),the

ments per se, and to economies of manufacture and'numerous other features 'as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and "betweenthebearingseat members drawing of afform of the invention, which may be preferred, in'which: v I y V H p Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a modified form of the joint construction;

Figure 2 is ahorizontal sectional View taken substantially on the line 212 of Figure l; H Figure 3'is 'a detailed View of the studlelement forming part of the invention; V

Figure 4 is a plan view of the bearing seats' and flexible mounting therefor;

Figure 5 15a sideelevation'al View partly in section of the elements shown in. Figure 4.

7 Figure 6 is an elevational' View partly in'sec-f.

tion' illustrating a closure element for the joint.

armizr' being held inj placebynieans oinut 26:.

Substantially surrounding'thespherical er- 'tion 38' of the stud member are a pair-of semi I annular bearing seats" or membersfifirand' 36".;

which are slightly spaced apart tO tEElIE-Up iorf any wearof thebearingsurfaces. interposod' V and 38' andthe interior wall'sfoi the housing 55% isan annular member 31' ubber, synthetic rubber .or other suitablefiexible orjyieldable mate-rial which at all times urges the bearingseats 35; and, 35 into close bearing engagement with the enlarged portion3;3 of the stud member The lower portion oi'thehousing is 'closed'lby means of a closure plate 38' Qtheoutermostflangeffit' i thereof engaging and compressing the rubber mounting 31' for the .bearing "seats; the housing being swaged over the flange 'porti-on'iii as at 52 to hold the joint elements in assembled relationship, is to benoted thatin 5'the j V yieldable rubber element 3'1 in unassernble'ol,posh 7 central portion of the closure member 38' is provided with a partial spherical'recess '63 whichais adapted for engagement as illustrated in Figure 1 with the small spherical portion 60 of the stud member 22 which provides additional bearingsurface in the joint structure and at the .same

time the closure plate holds the stud element in close bearing engagement with the bearing seat members. As illustrated iniFigures .1 and 6 the closure plate 38' is so formed as to provide a chamber 64 between the enlarged portion 39 of the stud member and the closure plate to form a lubricant chamber which may be initially filled with suitable lubricant at the time the. joint is assembled. The upper end of the housing is closed by a suitable fiexible closure member or boot 46'.

Thus, in the joint structur'e of my invention, all 7 mechanical spring devices have been eliminated for holding the joint elements in their properrelationship as the rubber cushion 31 provides the necessary .resilient lateraljpressure upon the bearing surfaces forming an effectiveyet highly efficient joint construction, theresilient cushion automatically compensating for any wear of the bearing surfaces which may occur.

In this form of the invention the verall dimension of the joint housingis diminished over prior constructions and a satisfactory joint produced with a minimum number of elements. Also, a joint of this arrangement may be lubricated at the time of assembly with suflicient lubricant to last for. the normal lifej'of the joint structure. 7 I v i v V It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and differentarrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and

portion; a pair of substantially semi-annular bearing elements in said housing having curved interior surfaces fitting the enlarged segmental spherically shaped portionof said stud member; an annulus of yieldable material surrounding said bearin elements and engageable with the interior walls of said housing; said stud member being arranged for tilting and rotatable movesemi-sphericalportion of the stud member, said closure member being arranged to form with the lower surface of the enlarged segmental spherical portion of said stud member a lubricant chamber.

3. A joint construction including a housing having a hollow interior; a stud member having an enlarged portion extending into said housing; bearing means in said housing having interior surfaces engaging the enlarged portion of said stud member; said stud member being arranged for tilting and rotatable movements relative to said bearing means; a yieldable element inter posed between said, bearing means and the interior walls of said housing; and a closure for the lower end of said housing having a concave portion in bearing engagement with said stud member and a portion in engagement with said bearing means. 7 v n 4. A joint construction including a housing having a hollow interior; a stud member having an enlarged partially spherically shaped portion extending into said housing; bearing means in said housing having curved interior surfaces the present disclosure is illustrative merely; the

invention comprehending all variations thereof.

WhatIclaim is:

1. A joint construction including a housing 7 havin a hollow interior; a stud member; having an enlargedpartially spherically. shaped portion surfaces fitting theenlarged 'partiallyspheric'ally shaped portion of saidstudmember; said. stud member being arranged for tilting and rotatable movements relative to said bearing means; a

'yieldable element surrounding said bearing means a and engageable with the interior walls"offsaid housing; a closure for the lower end of. said ho'usingarranged to exert pressure on said yieldable member for continuously urging said bear ingrelernents into engagement with. the enlarged partially spherically shaped portion of the stud member; said 'closurehaving a 'portion in bearing engagement with said second semi-spherically shaped portion of said stud member and a portion in engagement with said bearing means."

2. A joint construction} including ahousing having a hollow interior; astud member having an enlarged segmental spherically shaped portion extending into said housing, said studmember having at its lower extremity. a semi-spherical projecting portion of lesser dimension than said first mentioned segmental spherically shaped said housing.

fitting the enlarged partially spherically shaped portion of said stud'member; a yieldable element interposed between said bearing. means and the interior walls of said housing; a closure forthe lower. end of said housing arranged to exert pres sure on'said yieldable member for continuously urging said bearing elements into eng'agement with the enlarged partially spherically shaped portion of the stud member; said closure having a-co-ncave' portion in bearing engagement with said stud member, and a portion in engagement with said bearing means to positionthe latter in '5. A joint construction including. a housing having a hollowinterior; a stud member having an enlarged partially spherically shaped portion extending into'said housing, said stud member having a second semi-spherically shaped portion of lesser. dimension arranged beneath said enlarged partially spherically shaped portion; bear ing means insaid housing engaging theenlarged partially spherically shaped portion of said stud member; a compressible element interposed between'said bearing means and the interior walls of said housing; a closure for the lower end of said housing arranged to exert pressure on said ,yieldable member for continuouslyurging said bearing elements into engagement with the stud member; said closure having a portion. in bearing engagement with the semi-spherically shaped portion of lesser dimension of said stud member and a portion in engagement with said bearing means to position the latter in said housing.

6. A joint construction including a. housing having a hollow interior; a stud member having, an enlarged segmental spherically shaped portion extending into said housing, said stud member terminating in a semi-spherical projecting portion of lesser diameter than said segmental spherically shaped portion thereof {bearing means in said housing having a curved interior surface fitting the enlarged segmental spherically shaped portion of said stud member; an annulus of yieldable material surrounding said bearing means; a metallic closure for the lower end of said housing having a portion arranged to contact and initially compress said yieldable annulus; said closure having a concave ecess engageable With the semi-spherical projecting portion of the stud member and a portion in engagement with said bearing means tov 7 position the latter in said housing.

'7 A joint construction including a housing having a hollow interior; a stud member having an enlarged segmental spherically shaped portion extending into said housing; said stud member terminating in a semi-spherical projecting portion of lesser dimension than said first mentioned segmental spherically shaped portion;

bearing means in said housing'having a curved interior surface engaging the enlarged segmental spherically shaped portion of said stud member; said stud member being arranged for tilting movement relative to said bearing means; an

annulus of compressible material surrounding said bearing means and engageable with the interior walls of said housing; a metallic closure for the lower end of said housing having a portion arranged to exert initial pressure on said yieldable annulus for urging said bearing means spherical portion of the stud member, said closure having a concave recess engageable with" the semi-spherical projection of thestud member, said closure member being arranged to form with the lower surface of the enlarged segmental spherical portion of said stud member a lubricant chamber.

. 8. A joint construction including a housing having a hollow interior; a stud member having an enlarged segmental spherically shaped por-i V 7 tion extending into said housing, said stud memher having at its lower extremity a semi-spherical projecting portion of lesser dimension than said first mentioned segmental spherically shaped portion; a pair of substantially semi-annular bearing elements in said housinghaving"curved interior surfaces fitting the enlarged segmental spherically shaped portion of said stud member; said stud member being arranged for tilting movement relative to said bearing means; an 7 annulusof yieldable material surrounding said bearing elements and engageable with the interior walls of saidhousing; ametallic closure for the lower end of said housinghaving'a portion arranged to contact and-initially compress into engagement with the enlarged segmental 

